24, 30 and 36 Inch Over-the-Range Microwaves

On this page (9 sections)

1. Which width fits a 24-inch opening?
2. Over the range microwave 24 inch: which opening fits
3. Are 30-inch units the widest choice?
4. What about 36-inch openings?
5. Who a 24-inch unit suits
6. Compare 24, 30 and 36 inches side by side
7. Common sizing mistakes
8. Check the depth and height with the width
9. Pick the width that matches your opening

Choose the over the range microwave width that matches your opening: 24 inches for a narrow space and 30 inches for a standard range. Our search for 36-inch units returned only 30-inch over-the-range models, so a 36-inch opening usually calls for a 30-inch unit with side trim.

Width sets the first cut in your search, before you compare features or venting. A 24-inch unit suits a narrower opening, a 30-inch unit fits a standard range opening, and a wider opening needs trim.

Which width fits a 24-inch opening?

A 24-inch unit is the right width for a 24-inch opening. The GE 24-inch we checked measures 23.81 inches wide and 16.38 inches deep, and it includes a charcoal filter in the box.

Check the opening before you order. A 24-inch unit in a 30-inch opening leaves gaps you'd need to fill.

Over the range microwave 24 inch: which opening fits

A 24-inch over the range microwave fits a narrow opening or a smaller kitchen. The GE 24-inch we checked is 16.38 inches deep and 17 inches tall, so check the wall behind it before you order.

Its 1.4 cu ft interior suits small meals and reheating. For daily cooking with large trays, a 30-inch unit usually gives more room inside.

Are 30-inch units the widest choice?

30-inch units are the most common size in our search, and the picks on this site are mostly 30 inches. The models we checked measure about 29.9 inches wide, so they match a standard 30-inch opening.

Depth is where 30-inch units differ most. Some are shallow and others sit deeper, so check the depth against the wall before you buy.

What about 36-inch openings?

Our search for 36-inch units returned only 30-inch over-the-range models, so we didn't find a 36-inch unit to recommend. A 30-inch unit in a 36-inch opening leaves a gap on each side, and that's where trim comes in.

Filling a 36-inch opening with a 30-inch unit

Side trim panels close the gap on each side, so the unit looks built in. The trim kit we checked is made for a 30-inch unit that goes into a wider cabinet opening.

Who a 24-inch unit suits

A 24-inch unit suits a narrow opening, a small kitchen or a second microwave where space is tight. It's the right call when the cabinet opening is 24 inches, and it's the wrong call when the opening is wider and you'd need to fill the gap with trim.

If two people cook at once or you batch-cook, a 24-inch unit may feel small.

Compare 24, 30 and 36 inches side by side

Over the range microwave 24 inch and 30 inch: which to pick

Pick the 24-inch unit when the opening is 24 inches and the interior size is enough for your meals. Pick a 30-inch unit when the opening is standard and you want more room inside.

A 24-inch unit is about six inches narrower than a 30-inch unit, which is a big change in cabinet space. It suits a narrow opening, but the interior is smaller, so think about how much you cook at once.

A 30-inch unit covers the standard opening and has the widest choice of models in our search. A 36-inch opening calls for a 30-inch unit with side fillers, since we didn't find a 36-inch unit in our search.

Common sizing mistakes

The first mistake is buying a 24-inch unit for a 30-inch opening without planning the gap. The second is assuming every 30-inch unit has the same depth, which isn't true across the models we checked.

The third is forgetting the cabinet depth and the wall. Width is only one of three numbers, so measure the rest before you order.

The fourth is leaving out the trim cost. Side panels are an extra part, so add them to the total before you settle on a width.

Check the depth and height with the width

Width is only one of three numbers. Depth and height decide whether a unit fits the cabinet and the wall, so use the dimensions guide to check those before you order.

The installation guide covers the planning steps, including power and venting. If you're replacing an existing unit, the replacement guide explains what to expect.

Pick the width that matches your opening

The 24-inch GE fits a 24-inch opening, the 30-inch models fit a standard opening, and a 36-inch opening needs side trim with a 30-inch unit. Measure the opening, then match the width before you compare features.

For a wider set of 30-inch picks, see the 30-inch roundup. The GE roundup shows the 30-inch GE models side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 24-inch over the range microwave big enough for a family?

It depends on the interior you need. The 24-inch GE we checked has a 1.4 cu ft interior, which suits small meals and reheating.

Can I put a 24-inch microwave in a 30-inch opening?

You can, but it leaves a gap on each side. Side trim panels can close that gap, though the unit may still look small against the cabinet, so measure the opening first.

Are there 36-inch over the range microwaves?

Our Amazon search for 36-inch units returned only 30-inch over-the-range models, so we didn't find a 36-inch unit to recommend. For a 36-inch opening, a 30-inch unit with side trim is the approach to check first.

How much narrower is a 24-inch unit than a 30-inch one?

The 24-inch GE we checked measures 23.81 inches wide, and the 30-inch units we checked measure about 29.9 inches. That's roughly six inches less width, which changes how much room you have for the cabinet and any trim.